Welcome to the Antelope Valley Astronomy Club

The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club, Inc. (AVAC) was founded in 1982, and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 1999, to bring the beauty of the night sky to the families of the Antelope Valley.

The AVAC provides programs for schools and other organizations on request. We have put on presentations at local schools, state parks, and anywhere the sky is dark, we also do daytime events.

The AVAC is located in the Antelope Valley, which is located in north-eastern Los Angeles County. Our members come from all over the valley, and as far away as Pasadena, they range in experience from beginner to advanced.

The AVAC offers a friendly, learning environment. It is a member of the Astronomical League and offers their quarterly newsletter, discounts, and observing programs at no additional cost to members.

Dues are prorated each month on the basis of a Single membership costing $25 per year, a Family Membership at $30 per year, and a Junior membership at $15 per year. To apply, fill out an online application and either print and mail in application, or pay via PayPal.

Monthly Meetings

The AVAC holds monthly meetings the second Friday of every month, except in December, at the S.A.G.E. Planetarium, 38060 20th Street East (located on the Northeast corner of East Avenue R and 20th East), in Palmdale CA, at 7:00 PM. The meetings include a monthly program about the fascinating night sky, as well as giving members and guests a chance to get together to talk about the stars or other topics of interest.

The Desert Sky Observer, the monthly club newsletter, features the latest news and information about club activities. It contains a diagram of the lunar phases for the upcoming month and articles covering the latest discoveries from the world of astronomy!

Shirts and caps with the AVAC logo are now available from B's Stitchery and Design. For available styles, colors, prices and ordering information, please visit our clothing page.

Resources Available to Members Telescopes: 10 inch, 8 inch, and 6 inch Dobsonians, and various Accessories. Short Classes: Starting Out in Amateur Astronomy, How To Use a Telescope.

The AVAC is a member of the Astronomical League and sponsors several observing groups including, but not limited to, The Messier Group (Telescope and Binocular), The Universe Sampler Group, The Planetary Observers Group, and The Lunar Observers Group. Several of our members have received their Regular Certificate, having observer at least 70 items, and a few have received their Honorary Certificate by completing the entire list of 110. Take a look at the list and watch it grow, maybe we'll see your name there soon.

Once a year we present the Keith Lawson Award, named after one of the founding members and first President of the club, to one of our members. The award is in recognition of outstanding contribution to the AVAC and the world of Amateur Astronomy. If you know a club member that you think deserves the award, please submit a nomination.

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The AVAC is a member of NASA's

Announcements

Details

Last Updated on Monday, 20 July 2015 20:21

Friday, July 24, is Lockheed Martin's 'A Night To Explore'!

The event, officially, is from 6 to 9pm, at the Palmdale Boys and Girls Club located at 815 E. Avenue Q6. In the past, we’ve always stayed awhile after 9:00 or until there were no longer folks who wanted to look through our telescopes.

Setup for the inside booth between 4:30 and 5:30 so that we are ready to go, inside, by 5:30. It would be nice if we have telescopes setup along the same timeline though 6:00 would be fine.

Sunset is not till 8:03 PM though the Moon and Venus should be visible for sharing while it is still light with Jupiter and Saturn visible shortly thereafter. The 59% illuminated waxing-gibbous moon will be competing with the parking lot lights to impede our view of deep sky objects though somehow we’ve always managed to find a few.

We need members with telescopes for outside, and any members that have other astronomy items of interest to show the public and students inside at our booth.

This is an important event! We will be supporting Lockheed Martin, our biggest club sponsor!